The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 3 · the Elder Pliny
CHAP. 7.—THE MEANING OF ERITHACE, SANDARACA, OR CERINTHOS.
In addition to this, the bees form collections of _erithace_ or bee-bread, which some persons call “sandaraca,”[20] and others “cerinthos.” This is to serve as the food of the bees while they are at work, and is often found stowed away in the cavities of the cells, being of a bitter flavour also. It is produced from the spring dews and the gummy juices of trees, being less abundant while the south-west wind is blowing, and blackened by the prevalence of a south wind. On the other hand, again, it is of a reddish colour and becomes improved by the north-east wind; it is found in the greatest abundance upon the nut trees in Greece. Menecrates says, that it is a flower, which gives indications of the nature of the coming harvest; but no one says so, with the exception of him. CHAP. 8. (8.)—WHAT FLOWERS ARE USED BY THE BEES IN THEIR WORK.
Bees form wax[21] from the blossoms of all trees and plants, with the sole exception of the rumex[22] and the echinopodes,[23] both being kinds of herbs. It is by mistake, however, that spartum is excepted;[24] for many varieties of honey that come from Spain, and have been made in the plantations of it, have a strong taste of that plant. I am of opinion, also, that it is without any sufficient reason that the olive has been excepted, seeing that it is a well-known fact, that where olives are in the greatest abundance, the swarms of bees are the most numerous. Bees are not injurious to fruit of any kind; they will never settle on a dead flower, much less a dead carcase. They pursue their labours within three-score paces of their hives; and when the flowers in their vicinity are exhausted, they send out scouts from time to time, to discover places for forage at a greater distance. When overtaken by night in their expeditions, they watch till the morning, lying on their backs, in order to protect their wings from the action of the dew. CHAP. 9. (9.)—PERSONS WHO HAVE MADE BEES THEIR STUDY. It is not surprising that there have been persons who have made bees their exclusive study; Aristomachus of Soli, for instance, who for a period of fifty-eight years did nothing else; Philiscus of Thasos, also, surnamed Agrius,[25] who passed his life in desert spots, tending swarms of bees. Both of these have written works on this subject.
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